Kevin Cogan

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Kevin Cogan
Nationality	American
World Championship Career
Active years	1980 - 1981
Team(s)	RAM, Tyrrell
Races	2
Championships	0
Wins	0
Podium finishes	0
Pole positions	0
Fastest laps	0
First race	1980 Canadian Grand Prix


Last race	1981 United States Grand Prix West

Kevin Cogan (born in Culver City, March 31, 1956) was a Formula One driver from 1980 to 1981. Driving a RAM Williams in the 1980 Canadian Grand Prix, he failed to qualify, suffering the same result driving for Tyrrell at the 1981 US GP West. He then moved over to Indy cars in 1982 but his career was cut short by a series of accidents.

Cogan sat on the middle of the front row at the 1982 Indianapolis 500 racing for Team Penske. Just as the green flag was about to come out, his car swerved out of control and rammed into the car of four-time Indy champ A.J. Foyt also collecting 1969 Indy winner Mario Andretti. Andretti was furious about the accident and yelled back at Cogan, "This is what happens when you have children doing a man's job up front."

Four years later, Cogan finished second in the 1986 Indianapolis 500. He held the lead late in the race, but a yellow flag came out allowing the drivers behind him to catch up. When the race resumed, eventual winner Bobby Rahal passed him. Earlier that year he got his only CART win at Phoenix International Raceway.

Cogan had a huge crash during the 1989 Indianapolis 500. Coming out of turn four, Cogan spun and hit the end of the pit wall. His car exploded into hundreds of pieces. The tub came to rest on its side in one of the first few pit boxes. Cogan climbed out of the wreck. As a result of crashes like this one and a horrific 1991 practice session crash by Mark Dismore, IMS installed a pit attenuator to the end of the wall. It was tested in the 2006 Indianapolis 500 by Tomas Scheckter who walked away from a very similar crash with a very different result.

Cogan retired from racing in 1993.

[edit] Indy 500 results

Year	Chassis	Engine	Start	Finish
1981	Phoenix	Cosworth	12th	4th
1982	Penske	Cosworth	2nd	30th
1983	March	Cosworth	22nd	5th
1984	Eagle	Pontiac	27th	20th
1985	March	Cosworth	32nd	11th
1986	March	Cosworth	6th	2nd
1987	March	Chevrolet	24th	31st
1988	March	Cosworth	13th	11th
1989	March	Cosworth	27th	32nd
1990	Penske	Buick	15th	9th
1991	Lola	Buick	16th	29th
1993	Lola	Chevrolet	14th	14th